Are you looking for a career change but worried about your work life balance? Check out Balancing Family and Career as a Nurse Practitioner & Tips for Success

 

Balancing Family and Career as a Nurse Practitioner: Tips for Success

Becoming a nurse practitioner is a huge achievement, as is raising healthy, happy children. With so many difficult tasks on their plate, it’s sadly common for NP moms to burn out because they struggle to balance their busy lives. This is especially true because both their role as a mother and as a professional require emotional labor, leaving them feeling drained at the end of the day.

However, it doesn’t have to be this way. Mothers who are nurse practitioners deserve to be there for their children’s special moments while also thriving in their careers. Today, we’ll unveil some of the best tips to succeed as a parent and practitioner.

Choose Your Work Environment Carefully

Nurse practitioners work in many environments, including emergency room departments, family practices, and retirement homes, particularly for seniors finding memory care options. Each has different working conditions, including the number of hours and types of shifts expected of NPs. For example, a family nurse practitioner typically has a 9-5 work week, while an emergency department NP may be expected to work overnights and weekends.

What fits best for you and your family depends on your situation, including how old your children are and what type of support you have as a mother. If your children are older and at school all day while your partner works, you may find it advantageous to work overnights at a hospital system so that you can rest during the day and be there when your children get home. On the other hand, a parent with younger children may need to choose a family nurse practitioner role, as most daycares close around 6 pm, and hiring a night nanny is incredibly expensive.

Research the Work-Life Balance at the Role

Finding a nurse practitioner job is not just about applying everywhere and choosing whatever has the best benefits; it’s also about ensuring that you and the company are a good match and can mutually benefit one another. This is why it’s important to get recommendations from other healthcare professionals about places with a great work-life balance that do not overwork their employees. Reach out to those in your network and gather their thoughts about the particular healthcare system you’re applying to, such as whether they provide flexible scheduling.

It’s often considered taboo to ask about work-life balance in an interview; you fear that the hiring manager may feel that you’re unreliable. However, this is a crucial conversation, and a company that looks down upon those with family obligations will not be a good place to work. Be sure to talk about things like maternity leave and parental benefits, especially if you are planning your family and still want to work as a new mom.

Set Boundaries

Boundaries are critical for mothers, especially those in giving professions. As an NP, you are on all the time, serving others while juggling multiple roles that all require deep empathy. However, nurse practitioners cannot pour from an empty cup; sometimes, you must put yourself first and set boundaries with those around you.

This can be as simple as stating upfront that you cannot be on call at certain times of the week or that you always have to be home at a certain hour to care for your children. Good employers and coworkers will understand that while your career is incredibly important, you are a multifaceted person who also has other obligations that sometimes take precedence.

Not only will you be happier by prioritizing your own needs, but you will also serve as an example to your children of how to stand up for themselves, something that will stick with them throughout their lives.

Prioritize Yourself

During the COVID-19 pandemic, much was said about nurses and doctors being “healthcare heroes,” but the problem with being put on a pedestal is that it strips you of your humanity. Heroes are expected to selflessly sacrifice for others at all times, and while being both a mother and a nurse practitioner does involve selflessness, it is not feasible to do so all the time.

Make it a habit to do one thing for yourself daily: something that benefits only you. This can be as simple as getting yourself that special latte at the coffee shop or practicing a favorite hobby while your children entertain themselves. This doesn’t need to be expensive, nor does it have to take a great deal of time, but it can’t be telling yourself that doing household chores is a form of self-care.

Maintaining this will also require setting boundaries, especially if what you need is uninterrupted free time, but it will benefit everyone in your life to put yourself first at times. This replenishes your emotional reserves and reminds everyone that you, too, are a special person deserving of care.

Both motherhood and nursing are noble roles, but they can be difficult to balance without growing resentful and worn down. By assessing roles for work-life balance, setting boundaries, and respecting your own needs, you can remain a happy and fulfilled woman who brings joy to everyone in her life.